Maackii Thistle (Cirsium maackii)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Cirsium maackii is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young shoot tips - cooked. An emergency food, used when all else fails. — Young shoot tips - cooked.; An emergency food, used when all else fails.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland and low elevations in mountains in S. Japan. Grassland on mountain slopes, forest margins, meadows and near villages at levations of 100 - 1100 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)